Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix ( Fr. Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix , Chapel of Our Lady of the World), often called Chapel of Fujita ( Fr. Chapelle Foujita ) - a Catholic chapel in Reims , built and painted by a French artist Japanese-born Tsuguharu Fujita .
| Sight | |
| Fujita Chapel | |
|---|---|
| Chapelle foujita | |
 | |
| A country | |
| Location | |
| Architectural style | neo-romanian |
| Project Author | Tsuguharu Fujita |
| Architect | |
| Established | 1966 year |
Content
Creation History
On June 18, 1959, Fujita, who had long lived in France and had French citizenship, visited the famous Reims Cathedral . There he experiences a kind of religious revelation, after which he decides to become a Catholic [2] . On October 14, 1959, Fujita and his wife Kimiyo (also originally from Japan) were baptized in Reims Cathedral. Fujita's godfather is Rene Lalu, the lawyer and head of the Mumm champagne house [3] . When baptized, Fujita takes the name "Leonard Francois Rene": Leonard - in memory of the unforgettable impression that the Last Supper Leonardo da Vinci once made on him; Francois - in honor of the revered Saint Francis of Assisi ; Renee - in honor of his godfather [3] .
A few years later, in 1964, Fujita decided to erect a chapel in Reims dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. In this way, he wants to thank the Church and the local Catholic community for the warm welcome they provided to the convert [4] . He is supported by Rene Lalu: he takes care of the expenses and allocates a plot to Fujite near the cellars of Mumm House. Fujita himself makes the layout of the future chapel; he wants her to be modest, in the Romanesque style , and fit into the Reims landscape. An eighty-year-old artist is studying new techniques for himself, including the mural technique; draws plans, prepares sketches of sculptures and stained-glass windows [4] [5] . In construction, he is helped by the Reims architect Maurice Closier ( FR Maurice Clauzier ) [6] . The small garden around the chapel is also designed by Fujita; on the path leading to the chapel, the symbolic Golgotha is installed, but the sculpture does not depict a crucifix, but the baby Christ carrying the cross [6] [7] .
Fujita personally paints the entire interior of the church (200 m2) with scenes from the life of Christ , the Blessed Virgin and visions of the Apocalypse [8] [5] . This work requires high speed of execution and accuracy of the stroke - qualities that have always been inherent in the artist. The creation of frescoes lasts from June 3 to August 31 [7] . On October 1, 1966, Bishop of Reims solemnly consecrates the chapel.
After the death of Fujita, his ashes, according to the desire of the artist himself, was buried in the chapel. Later, his widow was also buried here [9] .
Interior
Fujitsa frescoes are created in the traditions of Western art, however, they feel the Japanese origin of the artist and his love of stylization. Above the entrance to the chapel is a scene of the Crucifixion , inspired by the paintings of the German Renaissance. Among the kneeling characters, Fujita portrayed himself and Rene Lalu [7] .
In the depths of the nave is a niche in the form of a hemisphere, to which steps lead; it depicts the Blessed Virgin of the world with the baby Jesus, blessing two groups of women and children. Among them, Fujita portrayed his wife Kimiyo (second figure on the right) [7] . Above the niche, God the father is depicted with a lamb in his lap, surrounded by animals symbolizing the evangelists ; on the sides are images of St. Elizabeth and the Virgin Mary ( visiting scene).
The fresco in the aisle on the right represents the Last Supper . It is here that the ashes of the Fujita spouses rest [7] .
In the left aisle is the original fresco - “Our Lady of the Winegrowers” ( French Notre-Dame-des-Vendanges ). The Virgin Mary hands the baby a bunch of grapes; Reims Cathedral and the Basilica of Saint-Remy are visible in the background. [7] This work is a tribute to Reims, the city of wines and champagne. On the opposite wall, Fujita portrayed seven deadly sins : this is a fresco with grotesque characters in the spirit of Brueghel .
The stained glass windows of the chapel are made by the Reims master. The main stained glass window, divided into three parts, depicts Creation , the Fall, and Noah's Ark . The rest presents less canonical plots, including the tragedy of Hiroshima [7] .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 base Mérimée - ministère de la Culture , 1978.
- ↑ D. Buisson, S. Buisson, 2001 , p. 278.
- ↑ 1 2 D. Buisson, S. Buisson, 2001 , p. 292.
- ↑ 1 2 D. Buisson, S. Buisson, 2001 , p. 318.
- ↑ 1 2 Foujita et le volume . Fondation foujita . Date of treatment February 11, 2018.
- ↑ 1 2 Foujita Monumental! Enfer et Paradis (Fr.) . Fondation foujita . Musée des Beaux-arts de la Ville de Reims. Date of treatment February 4, 2018.
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Chapelle Foujita .
- ↑ D. Buisson, S. Buisson, 2001 , p. 324.
- ↑ Reims vient de recevoir la donation exceptionnelle de 663 œuvres du peintre Léonard Foujita . Communiqué de presse - mars 2013 . Ville de Reims. Date of treatment February 4, 2018.
Literature
- Dominique Buisson, Sylvie Buisson. Léonard-Tsuguharu Foujita . - ACR Edition, 2001. - Vol. 1 .-- P. 274-329.
Links
- La chapelle Foujita (Fr.) . Portail officiel des musées de Reims . Date of treatment February 11, 2018.